David Sledge is a devoted advocate and leader in the field of information technology and cybersecurity, currently spearheading cybersecurity initiatives as the Director of Cybersecurity at Avelo Airlines. In this role, he not only oversees the most senior cybersecurity operations in the company but also collaborates closely with agencies like CISA and the FBI, bringing a unique perspective to his work.

Boasting over 16 years in various leadership roles, David\’s career encapsulates a rich blend of expertise in cybersecurity, IT leadership, and data privacy. His past roles include serving as the Director of Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Director of Information Technology for multiple organizations, including the world’s foremost authority in benchmarking and process improvement, as well as Senior IT Consultant in cybersecurity, compliance, and risk, and Information technology Business Partner.

David holds more than 20 IT and cybersecurity-related professional certifications, such as CISSP, CISM, CIPM, ITIL, CSM, and CCSK.

Apart from his corporate responsibilities, David actively contributes to the cybersecurity community through various memberships. He is involved with ISACA – Greater Houston Chapter, ISSA – South Texas Chapter, SIM – Houston Chapter, CSA – TOGAF Chapter, OWASP – Austin Chapter, ISC2 – Capital of Texas Chapter, and the Aerospace Village. His role as Secretary of the ISACA Greater Houston Chapter board for 2023-2024 underscores his leadership and commitment to the field.

David is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation, guiding cybersecurity students at the University of St. Thomas, University of Houston, and University of Houston – Victoria. His extensive experience and insights have made him a sought-after keynote speaker, panelist, and participant in industry conferences like Secureworld, Houston Technology Summit, ISACA GRC Conference, and events for ISSA, ISACA, and the University of Houston.

A career highlighted by his work with multinational cybersecurity and legal teams from Fortune 500 companies, David Sledge is not just a speaker but an ambassador in the IT and cybersecurity landscape, making significant contributions to the field through his work at Avelo Airlines and beyond.